SA flank gets French call-up

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre made four changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against the All Blacks on Saturday.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre made four changes to his starting line-up for the second Test against the All Blacks in Christchurch on Saturday.

This including a debut cap for South African-born flank Bernard Le Roux.

Saint-Andre also drafted prop Nicolas Mas, lock Christophe Samson and flyhalf Frederic Michalak into the side that lost 13-23 in the first Test in Auckland last Saturday.

Michalak and Samson both missed the opening clash against the All Blacks as they were among a contingent of players who arrived in New Zealand late because they were involved in the Top 14 Final between Toulon and Castres.

Saint-Andre resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes to accommodate the latecomers, but included Brice Dulin, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud on an eight-man bench.

Le Roux, 24, was rewarded for a fine performance on Tuesday against the Blues, when a second string France team overpowered the Super Rugby outfit 38-15.

"He's good in the ruck area and has qualities as a jumper, he had a very interesting game on Tuesday," Saint-Andre said of 24-year-old Racing-Metro loose forward.

Le Roux replaces Fulgence Ouedraogo, who suffered a sprained ankle and will miss the rest of the tour.